Welcome back to school!
And for the freshmen...Welcome!
As always, we are so proud of you for all the excellent choices you've made--and, ahem (clearing throat), we'll work on the not-so-great choices, too. ;)
Homesick! - Ugh
(credit: http://bit.ly/pVZKXr)
This is all to say that what you're feeling is completely natural. In fact, you might find pieces of yourself in the following two Q&As archives: Friends for first year guy and Unhappy first year. The thing is, though your struggles might be common ones, that doesn't mean they don't hurt. The fact that you've sent in the question shows that not only are you taking your own concerns seriously (which is a great skill, one you'll always find valuable), you're also poised and ready to do something about them.
It might help to start by thinking about what it is in particular that you miss about family, friends, and home. Perhaps it's the comfort of a familiar routine, sharing ideas with people that already know you well, or the way your pets greeted you every afternoon after school. Maybe having a roommate just doesn't allow you the privacy you'd like, or you're sick of having to buy your own pain reliever and cough drops each time you get a headache or a cold. Sometimes it's the little, familiar things and situations we could depend on that are the hardest to adjust to not having around anymore.
There are probably some ways to bring more of "home" into your college experience. Here are a few ideas:
- Set a reliable schedule for talking with and/or e-mailing your family and friends from back home. This will give you a chance to connect, share your new experiences as well as your doubts, and hear the news from home.
- Next time you're back in your old neighborhood, take some pictures of your old hangouts, home, pets, family, and friends. If you can't make it all the way there, ask the people you've left behind to send some. Post them around your room and be sure to share them with as many visitors as you can! This is also a great way to get to know people and let them get to know you. Talking about home and the things you miss might even allow you to hear about other people's worries when they are otherwise trying to act so "together."
- Invite a friend or family member from home to visit you at school. This may motivate you to focus on the things about college that you're excited about and eager to share. Also, then you and your college acquaintances will know someone in common!
- Are there local specialties that you miss from home? Really delicious foods, unique smells, or something else? Maybe someone can send a care package packed with your favorites. There's also likely to be someplace in town that at least approximates some of what you miss — try hanging out there and starting your own tradition.
- Join a club or group that shares your interests and/or background. You'll likely make some new friends that, like you, have a passion for country music, know how to fry up winner latkes or pickle kim chee, or love to salsa dance. Together you can reminisce and also occupy yourself with new things that with time will become the things you miss about college when you're visiting home.
Indeed, you're not at home and it'll never be exactly the same. In some ways, you'll need to come to terms with that and give yourself permission to grieve the things you've lost by coming to school. But there are also likely to be some things that you're glad to leave behind, and opportunities at college that never would have been possible "back at the ranch." Think back to another time when you've had to make a change or go through a transition. Sure, it was hard at first. But you got through it and probably made some new friends, learned some skills, and grew as a person as a result.
5 Mistakes: First Semester of College
(Credit: http://bit.ly/rrW4KE)
1. I didn’t learn something new.
They say you will learn
more during your time in college than you will at any other time in your
life. Besides memorizing bones in the human hand, I do not feel any more knowledgeable than I did four months ago. The
reason why? I didn’t learn anything new about myself. Living away from
home, thousands of people...It’s the perfect recipe to have a good time, but more importantly, to
discover yourself. Make it a goal to learn something new each semester.
Learn how to program, learn how to rock climb, learn how to dance. At
the end of your college days, you will have a wealth of skills and
talents and perhaps you will learn a thing or two about yourself along
the way.
2. I didn’t join a club.
The true advantage of a college campus is the high
density of students who potentially share similar interests. However,
the chances of discovering that the girl sitting next to you is a tea
aficionado or that the guy with the green eyes has dreams of
volunteering in Peru are pretty slim. Unless of course, you join a club.
Clubs allow you to meet and connect with many people who share the same
interests as you. They allow you to learn and have fun, and in some
instances contribute to society. Also, they can look great on resumes
and help you network with amazing people.
3. I didn’t take care of myself.
We’ve all heard about the freshman 15, but
unfortunately the degree to which many college students neglect their
body is much greater than a few extra pounds. Lack of sleep, poor eating
habits, lack of exercise, stress and excessive stimulant (i.e.
caffeine) consumption are habits and behaviors that plague college
students. It’s no secret that all of these factors can lead to decreased
academic and social performance, not to mention have various adverse
side effects on the human body. Living a healthy and balanced life in
college will pay dividends immediately and in the future.
4. I didn’t change my work habits.
College is all about adapting, and unless you adapt
to new teaching styles and develop new study habits, don’t be surprised
when you no longer have a 4.0 GPA. Study habit evolution and time
management are the most important changes that must be made during your
transition to college life. *Tip: Review after each class and stay on top
of your work; it really does help!
5. I didn’t meet the people sitting next to me in class.
It’s every freshman’s dream, thousands of beautiful people, no
parents, your very own dorm room… Unfortunately, for far too many
students this dream never becomes a reality. Luckily, you have the power
to change this. The people you meet in college will be the most open
and interesting people you will ever meet. Everyone on campus is looking
for a new friend, a new person to call his or her own. Take advantage
of this fact; make new
friends and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. You’ll be
pleasantly rewarded. If you do get rejected, brush it off and think
nothing of it, there are plenty of other fish in the sea.
Math Tutoring Online
Have you heard of Khan Academy?! THE online spot for math tutoring! Math, Astronomy, Physics, Chem, GMAT prep...endless info, and it's all in YouTube format. Check out the thousands of tutorials online here: http://www.khanacademy.org/
The Topic of FOOD!
(credit: http://bit.ly/b1LJgB)
Eating Out
More than likely the school's cafeteria offers healthy alternatives to fried chicken and stuffed calzones. Most universities have a vegetarian menu and salad bar. Try ordering a grilled chicken sandwich or eggplant sub instead of foods submerged in oil. Want a cookie or piece of cake? Take a banana or apple instead. Eying the soft serve ice cream machine? Opt instead for yogurt or tapioca pudding. You should also consider avoiding the drive-through of local fast-food restaurants. A good deli sandwich is a satisfying alternative to abate your hunger. Whole wheat or rye bread with your choice of meat, cheese, lettuce, onions, and tomatoes offer a healthy and tummy-pleasing alternative to grease-ridden fried burgers and fries.If you decide to visit a restaurant for some "classy" food, be aware of what you are ordering. Red meats are good in moderation (as is everything), but chicken and fish are often times wonderful and zesty substitutes, as long as they are not deep-fried or smothered in sauce. A good salad will often fill you up, but avoid heavy dressings such as: Caesar, cream- and cheese-based. Red vinaigrette is a better choice to liven up your leafy meal. Deep-fried foods such as shrimp, scallops, chicken wings, etc. and fat-saturated foods such as burgers and pizza should be avoided if possible.
Dining In
Want to play chef? Put these food items on your shopping list in place of instant microwaveable dinners: broccoli, corn, spinach, carrots, chicken, pasta, vegetable sauce, apples, oranges, fruit juice, 1% or skim milk, bottled water (or a filter for home use), corn bread, oatmeal, yogurt, eggs, and so forth. Try to be balanced, such as eating a meal that has rice, spinach, and chicken. Starches are important even though people will tell you that fewer carbohydrates is better. If you are exercising regularly, you will need some carbs to burn while working out. Just avoid eating pasta and canned sauce every night of the week.Try getting a bit inventive in the kitchen, even though you might think that it's only for the truly experienced of heart. A recipe is made so that anyone can follow it, as long as you have a few measuring cups and spoons readily available. If you don't know how to make something, Google it!
Thinking of Studying Abroad? Go For It!!
(But don't go broke doing it. Here are some scholarships and grants to research):
- Boren International Study (for undergrad and grad students)
- Here is a long list! http://www.studyabroad.com/scholarships.aspx
- Gilman Scholarship (popular choice)
- Undergraduate study in Japan through The Bridging Foundation
Guadalupe Center BIO Submissions
If
you think you have a good "story" and would like to share it, please
do! We are looking for very brief bios on a few students who exemplify
Tutor Corps: hard work, perseverance, and flavor! If yours is chosen, we
will post it on our website. Please e-mail me your bio and a recent
headshot. E-mail: jfoege@guadalupecenter.org. Here is an example (it does not have to be this thorough!). The scholarship, grants or other special awards box on the link below are a nice addition:
This is a cool video: 1st generation college students
You all have made significant strides to get where you are. Keep it up!
Contact info:
Tutor Corps College Coordinator
Jody Foege
509 Hope Circle
Immokalee, FL 34142
Phone: 239-657-7153
Cell: 941-677-8804
Fax: 239-658-1997
E-mail: jfoege@guadalupecenter.org
Breaking the cycle of poverty through education
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